Slide measuring system for filling pouches and associated method

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/136,398,filed on Dec. 29, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/224,186, filed on Jul. 29, 2016, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/199,110, filed onJul. 30, 2015, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for fillingpouches with granular material and, more particularly, to providingmeasured portions of smokeless tobacco to a pouch making machine in acontinuous operation.

SUMMARY

Smokeless tobacco, such as dipping tobacco, snus, etc., is commonlypackaged in pouches that are provided to the consumer in a liddedcylindrical container (e.g., a can). Each pouch may include an amount oftobacco contained in a paper case.

In accordance with aspects disclosed herein, there is a system andmethod for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches. A system includesa hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hoppercavity. The system also includes a measuring system including ameasuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavitybetween a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and asecond position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. Themeasuring system is structured and arranged to continuously communicatea vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is structured andarranged to move a portion of the granular material from the hoppercavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position.The measuring system is structured and arranged to move the portion ofthe granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch makingmachine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube isin the second position.

According to another aspect, there is a system for measuring tobacco forpackaging in pouches. The system includes a hopper structured andarranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system alsoincludes a measuring system including: a plurality of measuringcavities; and a plurality of tubes slidable in the hopper cavity. Themeasuring system is structured and arranged to continuously communicatea vacuum to each of the plurality of measuring cavities. The measuringsystem is structured and arranged to move the plurality of tubes to afirst position that uncovers the plurality of measuring cavities. Themeasuring system is also structured and arranged to fill the pluralityof measuring cavities with respective portions of the granular materialusing the vacuum while the plurality of tubes are in the first position.The measuring system is additionally structured and arranged to move theplurality of tubes to a second position over and aligned with theplurality of measuring cavities. The measuring system is furtherstructured and arranged to move the respective portions of the granularmaterial from the plurality of measuring cavities to a pouch makingmachine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum while theplurality of tubes are in the second position.

According to another aspect, there is a method for measuring tobacco forpackaging in pouches. The method includes: providing granular materialto a sifter using a feeder; sifting the granular material into a hopper;measuring a portion of the granular material in a measuring cavity;moving the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity toa pouch making machine; and making a pouch encapsulating the portion ofgranular material. The measuring includes: continuously communicating avacuum to the measuring cavity; moving a tube to a first positionunaligned with the measuring cavity; moving the portion of the granularmaterial into the measuring cavity using the vacuum; and moving the tubeto a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. Themoving the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity tothe pouch making machine includes applying compressed gas to themeasuring cavity to overcome the vacuum and move the portion of thegranular material through a flowpath extending between the measuringcavity and the pouch making machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects are further described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of embodiments, in which like reference numeralsrepresent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary pouch making system, in accordance herewith;

FIG. 2 shows various aspects of the pouch making system, in accordanceherewith;

FIG. 3 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 4 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 5 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 6 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 7 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 8 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 10 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 11 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 12 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 13 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 14 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith;

FIG. 15 shows additional aspects of the pouch making system, inaccordance herewith; and

FIG. 16 shows a flow diagram of a method in accordance herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects will now be described with reference to specific formsselected for purposes of illustration. It will be appreciated that thespirit and scope of the apparatus, system and methods disclosed hereinare not limited to the selected forms. Moreover, it is to be noted thatthe figures provided herein are not drawn to any particular proportionor scale, and that many variations can be made to the illustrated forms.Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-15 , wherein like numerals are used todesignate like elements throughout.

Each of the following terms written in singular grammatical form: “a,”“an,” and “the,” as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, aplurality of the stated entity or object, unless otherwise specificallydefined or stated herein, or, unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. For example, the phrases “a device,” “an assembly,” “amechanism,” “a component,” and “an element,” as used herein, may alsorefer to, and encompass, a plurality of devices, a plurality ofassemblies, a plurality of mechanisms, a plurality of components, and aplurality of elements, respectively.

Each of the following terms: “includes,” “including,” “has,” “′having,”“comprises,” and “comprising,” and, their linguistic or grammaticalvariants, derivatives, and/or conjugates, as used herein, means“including, but not limited to.”

Throughout the illustrative description, the examples, and the appendedclaims, a numerical value of a parameter, feature, object, or dimension,may be stated or described in terms of a numerical range format. It isto be fully understood that the stated numerical range format isprovided for illustrating implementation of the forms disclosed herein,and is not to be understood or construed as inflexibly limiting thescope of the forms disclosed herein.

Moreover, for stating or describing a numerical range, the phrase “in arange of between about a first numerical value and about a secondnumerical value,” is considered equivalent to, and means the same as,the phrase “in a range of from about a first numerical value to about asecond numerical value,” and, thus, the two equivalently meaning phrasesmay be used interchangeably.

It is to be understood that the various forms disclosed herein are notlimited in their application to the details of the order or sequence,and number, of steps or procedures, and sub-steps or sub-procedures, ofoperation or implementation of forms of the method or to the details oftype, composition, construction, arrangement, order and number of thesystem, system sub-units, devices, assemblies, sub-assemblies,mechanisms, structures, components, elements, and configurations, and,peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories, and materials of forms ofthe system, set forth in the following illustrative description,accompanying drawings, and examples, unless otherwise specificallystated herein. The apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein canbe practiced or implemented according to various other alternative formsand in various other alternative ways.

It is also to be understood that all technical and scientific words,terms, and/or phrases, used herein throughout the present disclosurehave either the identical or similar meaning as commonly understood byone of ordinary skill in the art, unless otherwise specifically definedor stated herein. Phraseology, terminology, and, notation, employedherein throughout the present disclosure are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for fillingpouches with granular material and, more particularly, to providingmeasured portions of smokeless tobacco to a pouch making machine in acontinuous operation. According to aspects disclosed herein, a systemincludes a measuring system that accurately and consistently measures avolumetric amount of granular material for insertion into a pouch. Inembodiments, the measuring system includes a plurality of lanes thatmeasure a plurality of portions of the granular material simultaneously.In aspects described herein, the measuring system is arranged upstreamof a pouch making machine and provides the measured portions of granularmaterial to the pouch making machine, which creates respective poucheseach containing a measured portion of granular material.

As used herein the terms “adapted” and “configured” or “structured” and“arranged” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter isdesigned and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use ofthe terms “adapted” and “configured” or “structured” and “arranged”should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, orother subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given functionbut that the element, component, and/or other subject matter isspecifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed,and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is alsowithin the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components,and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted toperform a particular function may additionally or alternatively bedescribed as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa.

Granular material as used herein may refer to smokeless tobacco,including but not limited to dipping tobacco, snus, etc. However, theinvention is not limited to use with tobacco, and other non-tobaccogranular material(s) may be used within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 10 in accordance herewith. Inembodiments, system 10 includes a feeder 20, sifter 30, hopper 40,measuring system 50, and pouch making machine 60. The system 10 may alsoinclude a conveyor 70 that moves empty containers (e.g., cans) 80 intoposition to receive pouches from pouch making machine 60 and that movescontainers 80 filled with pouches away from pouch making machine 60. Thedetails of the pouch making machine 60 are not shown. Pouch makingmachine 60 may include a conventional machine such as, for example, thepouching apparatus manufactured and sold by, for example, RopakManufacturing Company, Inc. of Decatur, Ala. and MerzVerpackungsmaschinen GmbH, Lich, Germany.

In an exemplary operation of the system 10, the feeder 20 selectivelyprovides bulk granular material to the sifter 30, which de-clumps thebulk granular material with a sifting operation and provides the siftedgranular material to the hopper 40. The hopper 40 collects and holds thesifted granular material adjacent the measuring system 50. The measuringsystem 50 draws a portion of the granular material from the hopper 40into a measuring volume, and subsequently moves the measured portion ofgranular material from the measuring volume to the pouch making machine60 where the measured portion of granular material is encapsulated in apouch. The pouch containing the measured portion of granular materialmay be placed in a container 80. The various aspects of system 10 aredescribed in greater detail herein.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the feeder 20 includes an inlet 100 adaptedto receive bulk material and an outlet 105 adapted to pass the bulkmaterial to the sifter 30. The outlet 105 may include a number of pans110 a-c equal to a number of chambers included in the sifter 30. Bulkmaterial may be provided to the inlet 100 in any suitable manner,including manually (e.g., hand scooped, poured from a bag, etc.) and/orautomatically (e.g., delivered on a conveyor, etc.). A number of chutes115 a-c equal to the number of pans 110 a-c may be used to convey thebulk material from the inlet to the pans 110 a-c. The invention is notlimited to the three pans and chutes shown, and any number of may beused, including one, two, more than three, etc.

In aspects described herein, the bulk material collects in the pans 110a-c and is selectively moved from the pans 110 a-c to the sifter 30 bycontrollably agitating (e.g., shaking) the feeder 20. For example, thepans 110 a-c may be slightly inclined relative to horizontal such thatagitating the feeder causes the bulk material to move toward an open endof the pans 110 a-c and fall from the pans 110 a-c into the sifter 30 bygravity. The agitating is controlled, e.g., selectively turned on andoff, to provide a desired amount of bulk material to the sifter 30. Thecontrol may be provided by a sensor and/or by a computer-based controlprogram, or the like. The agitating may be provided in any suitablemanner, such as with an electric or pneumatic actuator.

FIGS. 2-4 show views of an exemplary implementation of sifter 30 inaccordance herewith. With specific reference to FIG. 2 , sifter 30 mayinclude a number of chambers 130 a-c corresponding to the number of pans110 a-c of feeder During operation, chambers 130 a-c receive bulkmaterial from feeder 20. Partitions 135 a-b may be used to divide thechambers 130 a-c. The sifter 30 is described with three chambers 130 a-cfor illustration purposes but is not limited to this or any other numberof chambers. Moreover, the invention is not limited to sifter 30including a number of chambers equal to the number of pans, andimplementations may be used in which sifter 30 has a number of chambersthat is different than the number of pans.

In embodiments, each of the chambers 130 a-c includes a respective levelsensor 137 a-c that is configured to detect a level of granular materialin the respective chamber. For example, chamber 130 a may be providedwith a level sensor 137 a that detects the level of granular material inchamber 130 a. The level sensors 137 a-c may comprise any suitable typeof level sensor, such as a laser level sensor.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the agitation of each ofpans 110 a-c in feeder 20 may be individually controlled based on asignal from a respective one of level sensors 137 a-c in chambers 130a-c. For example, an amount of agitation applied to pan 110 a may beselectively controlled based on a signal from level sensor 137 a inchamber 130 a. Similarly, an amount of agitation applied to pan 110 bmay be selectively controlled based on a signal from level sensor 137 bin chamber 130 b. Similarly, an amount of agitation applied to pan 110 cmay be selectively controlled based on a signal from level sensor 137 cin chamber 130 c. In an exemplary implementation, each level sensor 137a-c is operatively connected to a controller “C” that providesrespective control signals to respective agitation actuators 139 a-cconnected to each of the pans 110 a-c. In a preferred embodiment, thecontroller “C” individually controls each agitation actuator 139 a-c tobe always on and increases or decreases the level of agitation providedby each agitation actuators 139 a-c based on a detected level ofgranular material in a corresponding chamber of the sifter. In thismanner, level sensors 137 a-c and controller “C” provide analog feedbackto the vibratory feed system that feeds granular material into eachchamber of the sifter 30. This analog feedback provides increased levelaccuracy in the chambers of the sifter, which in turn provides enhanceddosing accuracy for filling pouches in pouch making machine 60.

According to aspects described herein, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ,each chamber 130 a-c includes a screen 140 in a bottom surface of thechamber and a wiper (e.g., agitator) 145 connected to a shaft 150. Inembodiments, the shaft 150 extends through all chambers 130 a-c and isconnected to the respective wiper 145 in each respective chamber, suchthat the shaft 150 moves all wipers 145 at the same time. The shaft 150may be driven (e.g., rotated in a reciprocating manner) by any suitableactuator, such as an electric motor 155 as shown in FIG. 1 .

As is understood from FIGS. 2-4 , sifter 30 operates to sift bulkmaterial that is held in chambers 130 a-c through screens 140, withwipers 145 assisting in breaking up the bulk material and/or pushing thebulk material through the screens 140. Tobacco pouch making equipment issensitive to the composition/characteristics of the tobacco (e.g., bulkmaterial) that is used in pouch production. The ability to control pouchweight consistently at the pouch making equipment is affected by theconsistency of the tobacco used. The more consistent the tobaccocharacteristics are, the better the pouch maker will operate. Whensticky/clumpy tobacco is use in the production, pouch weight can bedifficult to control. Moreover, when the tobacco is fed from bulkstorage containers into the pouch making machinery, it can be difficultto provide consistent material characteristics. Many times, tobaccocoming from bulk storage containers is stuck together in clumps.

As described herein, sifter 30 is arranged downstream of bulk materialfeeder 20 and upstream of pouch making machine 60, and is used tode-clump the granular material in order to provide consistent granularmaterial. In embodiments, sifter 30 forces the granular material to flowthrough the one or more screens 140, which have a predefined openingdimension. In some aspects, when the granular material does not easilyflow through screen 140 by gravity alone, wiper 145 pushes the granularmaterial through the screen 140. The wiper 145 also breaks up clumps ofthe bulk material, which helps the material pass through screen 140.

FIGS. 5-7 show views of an exemplary implementation of hopper 40 inaccordance herewith. With specific reference to FIG. 5 , hopper 40 isarranged below sifter 30 and receives sifted granular material that haspassed through screens 140. A diverter 160, shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , maybe used to guide the granular material as it travels by gravity fromsifter 30 to hopper 40.

According to aspects described herein, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ,hopper 40 includes a front wall 170, back wall 175, bottom plate 180,and end blocks 185 that define a hopper cavity 190 that receives andholds sifted granular material adjacent the measuring system. Inembodiments, front wall 170, back wall 175, and bottom plate 180 arestationary, and end blocks 185 are moveable relative to the stationaryelements. In one example, end blocks 185 are fixedly connected to aslide 200 that moves transversely, e.g., along arrow 205, and in areciprocating fashion relative to stationary front wall 170, back wall175, bottom plate 180. Slide 200 may be moved using any suitableactuator, such as an electric actuator, pneumatic actuator, or the like.The movement of blocks 185 causes movement of the granular materialwithin hopper cavity 190, which prevents accumulation of the granularmaterial at the ends of hopper cavity 190 adjacent the blocks 185. Themovement of the granular material within hopper cavity 190 that iscaused by moving blocks 185 also assists in moving the granular materialover measuring holes 210 in bottom plate 180, as described in greaterdetail below.

FIG. 8 shows aspects of an exemplary measuring system 50 as describedherein. Although front wall 170 of hopper 40 is omitted from view inFIG. 8 for illustration, it is understood that hopper 40 in FIG. 8 mayinclude the elements shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . In embodiments, bottomplate 180 of hopper 40 includes holes 210 that are structured andarranged to be filled with a volume of granular material from hoppercavity 190 shown in FIG. 6 . After one of holes 210 is filled withgranular material, a tube 215 is moved over and in precise alignmentwith the filled hole 210. The tube 215 may be moved by a tube carrier220 that is connected to slide 200 as described with respect to FIG. 6 .A conduit 225 (also shown in FIG. 1 ) may be connected to one end oftube 215 between tube 215 and pouch making machine 60. In embodiments,when tube 215 is aligned over hole 210, the measured portion of granularmaterial in hole 210 is moved out of hole 210, through tube 215, andthrough conduit 225 to pouch making machine 60. In aspects, the pouchmaking machine 60 encapsulates the measured portion of granular materialin a pouch “P” (e.g., a paper pouch) and moves (e.g., drops) pouch “P”into a container 80 (also shown in FIG. 1 ). The filling of hole 210with granular material may be accomplished using gravity and vacuum, andmoving the granular material out of the hole 210 may be accomplishedusing pressurized gas, as described in greater detail herein. Asdepicted in FIG. 8 , there may be plural holes 210, tubes 215, andconduits 225 associated with a single hopper 40 and/or a single pouchmaking machine 60.

In embodiments, the measuring system 50 includes five tube carriers 220each carrying two tubes 215. Each tube 215 is in turn connected to arespective conduit 225, thereby providing ten lanes L1-L10 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 8 . Implementations are not limited to these exemplarynumbers of tube carries, tubes, and lanes, and any suitableconfiguration may be used.

Still referring to FIG. 8 , in aspects described herein vacuum iscommunicated to holes 210 in bottom plate 180 by way of a manifold 500,accumulator 505, and vacuum source 510. In embodiments, manifold 500includes a respective manifold vacuum port 515 fluidically connected toeach one of holes 210 of bottom plate 180. Ten manifold vacuum ports 515are shown in FIG. 8 and ten other manifold vacuum ports 515 are notvisible in FIG. 8 . In this manner, there are twenty manifold vacuumports 515 corresponding to the twenty holes 210. The respective fluidicconnections between manifold vacuum ports 515 and holes 210 may beprovided, for example, by internal passages defined by manifold 500. Inembodiments, accumulator 505 includes a respective accumulator vacuumport 520 fluidically connected to each one of manifold vacuum ports 515.The respective fluidic connections between manifold vacuum ports 515 andaccumulator vacuum ports 520 may be provided, for example, by plumbing.The accumulator 505 is also fluidically connected to vacuum source 510,e.g., by plumbing. A pressure regulator 523 may be connected inlinebetween accumulator 505 and vacuum source 510. In this manner, vacuummay be provided to the holes 210 for the purpose of drawing granularmaterial into the holes during the measuring, as described in greaterdetail with respect to FIGS. 10-14 .

With continued reference to FIG. 8 , in aspects described hereinmanifold 500 is also provided with at least one port 525 for receivingpressurized gas such as compressed air. In embodiments, the at least oneport 525 is fluidically connected to each one of the holes 210 of bottomplate 180, for example, by internal passages defined by manifold 500. Inthis manner, pressurized gas may be provided to holes 210 for thepurpose of expelling the granular material from holes 210 after themeasuring, as described in greater detail with respect to FIGS.

FIG. 9A shows a cross section view of an exemplary arrangement of tubes215, tube carrier 220, and conduits 225 as described herein. Inembodiments, a tube carrier 220 holds two tubes 215 and includeshardware (e.g., screw threads and/or clamps, etc.) for connecting toslide 200 shown in FIG. 6 such that tube carrier 220 moves with slide200 in a reciprocating manner in direction 205. In embodiments, tubecarrier 220 is composed of a non-reactive material such as stainlesssteel. The tube carrier 220 is not limited to the configuration shown inFIG. 9A, and other configurations may be used within the scope of theinvention.

As described herein, movement of the tube carrier 220 causes movement ofthe tubes 215 relative to the stationary bottom plate 180 during themeasurement operation. In embodiments, a sacrificial wear element 600 isconnected to the bottom end of each tube 215 and is configured todirectly contact the top surface of bottom plate 180. The sacrificialwear element 600 may be composed of a material that minimizes damage tobottom plate 180 during the repeated high speed movement of tubes 215relative to the bottom plate. For example, sacrificial wear element 600may be composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other suitablematerial. The sacrificial wear element 600 may be removed and replacedon an as-needed basis during maintenance of system 10.

In embodiments, a lower end of tube 215 fits inside sacrificial wearelement 600 with the nominal inside diameter of sacrificial wear element600 being the same as the inside diameter of the lower end of tube 215.The lower end of sacrificial wear element 600 may have an internalchamfer 602 such that the inside diameter at the lowermost end ofsacrificial wear element 600 is slightly larger than the nominal insidediameter of sacrificial wear element 600. Further, the diameter atchamfer 602 is advantageously larger than the diameter of holes 210 inbottom plate 180. Arranging the inside diameters in this fashion helpsreduce clogging of granular material inside sacrificial wear element600.

Still referring to FIG. 9A, in embodiments the inside diameter of tube215 is tapered from a first relatively larger inside diameter 604 at thelower end of tube 215 to a second relatively smaller inside diameter 606at the upper end of tube 215. In this manner, tube 215 functions as afunnel for the granular material that is moved through tube 215 asdescribed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 10-14 . The funnelingfunction minimizes clogging of granular material in tube 215.

As depicted in FIG. 9A, in embodiments each tube 215 is urged toward thebottom plate 180 by a resilient member such as a spring 608. A first endof spring 608 abuts an internal portion of tube carrier 220, and asecond end of spring 608 abuts an external portion (e.g., shoulder) oftube 215. In this manner, sacrificial wear elements 600 are urged intocontact with the top surface of bottom plate 180 to minimize clogging ofgranular material between sacrificial wear elements 600 and bottom plate180.

In implementations, each downwardly depending leg of tube carrier 220includes a bushing 610 that surrounds and contacts an outer surface of atube 215. The bushing 610 facilitates smooth movement of tube 215 in avertical direction relative to the downwardly depending leg of tubecarrier 220. The bushing 610 may be composed of any suitable material,such as plastic. A seal 612 may also be provided in tube carrier 220around the top end of each tube 215. The seal 612 prevents granularmaterial from entering the hollow portion of the downwardly dependingleg of tube carrier 220.

With continued reference to FIG. 9A, a fitting 614 may be used toconnected the top end of each tube 215 to a respective conduit 225 (e.g.the conduit 225 described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 8 ). Inembodiments, fitting 614 is a push-loc fitting that frictionally holdsan end of conduit 225 in direct abutment with the upper end of tube 215.In implementations the push-loc style fitting 614 is preferred over ascrew-type clamp fitting because a screw-type clamp fitting may resultin unintentional deformation of conduit 225 and/or tube 215, which maylead to clogging of granular material therein. Moreover, the end-to-endabutment of conduit 225 and tube 215 provided by fitting 614advantageously reduces clogging of granular material inside tube 215 byeliminating an internal shoulder in the vicinity of conduit 225 and tube215.

In embodiments, conduit 225 has a nominal inside diameter that issubstantially equal to the inside diameter 606 at the upper end of tube215. Additionally, the lower end of conduit 225 may have an internalchamfer 616 such that the inside diameter at the lower end of conduit225 is slightly larger than the nominal inside diameter of conduit 225.Arranging the inside diameters in this fashion helps reduce clogging ofgranular material at the connection between conduit 225 and tube 215.

FIG. 9B shows an exemplary arrangement of bottom plate 180 of hopper 40in accordance with aspects described herein. In embodiments, sacrificialwear elements 630 are arranged in cavities 632 in the top surface ofbottom plate 180. The holes 210 (as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 9A, and 10-14 )may be provided in sacrificial wear elements 630. The sacrificial wearelements 630 may be the same material as sacrificial wear element 600(shown in FIG. 9A), such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Thesacrificial wear elements 630 may be held in cavities 632 by a fastener634, such as a threaded screw or bolt. The sacrificial wear elements 630may be individually removed and replaced on an as-needed basis duringmaintenance of system 10.

FIGS. 10-12 show an exemplary operation of measuring a portion ofgranular material using measuring system 50 as described herein. Asshown in FIG. 10 , in embodiments a pin 235 is arranged within hole 210in bottom plate 180. An uppermost portion of pin 235 is situated withinhole 210 (e.g., recessed from a surface of bottom plate 180), such thata cavity 240 is defined in hole 210 by bottom plate 180 and pin 235.Cavity 240 may also be referred to herein as a measuring cavity. Thevolume of cavity 240 may be selectively adjusted (e.g., increased ordecreased) by moving pin 235 up or down within hole 210, as described ingreater detail herein.

Still referring to FIG. 10 , tube 215 is over bottom plate 180 and ismoveable (e.g., slidable) back and forth relative to bottom plate 180 inthe directions indicated by arrow 205. In embodiments, sacrificial wearelement 600 is connected to lower end of the tube 215 and directlycontacts bottom plate 180. Alternatively, bottom plate 180 may beprovided with sacrificial wear elements 630 as shown in FIG. 9B, inwhich case sacrificial wear element 600 directly contact one of thesacrificial wear elements 630. As described with respect to FIG. 9A, aninside diameter of chamfer 602 of the sacrificial wear element 600 isslightly larger than the inside diameter of hole 210 to account for anyslight misalignment of tube 215 and hole 210. Although not shown in FIG.10 , an upper end of tube 215 is connected to conduit 225, such that thehollow interiors of tube 215 and conduit 225 combine to form a flow pathextending from measuring system 50 to pouch making machine e.g., in themanner described with respect to FIG. 9A. The movement of tube 215 inthe direction of arrow 205 may be effectuated via slide 200 as describedwith respect to FIG. 8 , e.g., by connecting tube 215 to tube carrier220 that is connected to slide 200. In the position shown in FIG. 10 ,tube 215 is beside (e.g., not covering) hole 210, which permits granularmaterial 245 in hopper cavity 190 to move into cavity 240 by gravity andvacuum.

In embodiments, pin 235 has a hollow axial bore 250. A screen 247 may beprovided at a first end of bore 250 (e.g., adjacent cavity 240) toprevent granular material 245 from entering bore 250. In aspects, asecond end of bore 250 is fluidically connected to manifold 500. Themanifold 500 may define a flow path 700 between one of the manifoldvacuum ports 515 and second end of bore 250 for communicating a vacuumto bore 250. A valve 702 may be arranged in flow path 700 forselectively opening and closing flow path 700. The manifold 500 may alsodefine a flow path 704 between one of the pressurized gas ports 525 andsecond end of bore 250 for communicating pressurized gas to bore 250. Avalve 706 may be arranged in flow path 704 for selectively opening andclosing flow path 704. A controller “C”, such as a programmable computerdevice or the like, may be operatively connected to valves 702 and 706to selectively apply vacuum or pressurized gas (e.g., compressed air) tobore 250. Controller “C” shown in FIGS. may be the same as controller“C” shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , or may be a different controller. Withcontinued reference to FIG. 10 , cavity 240 is filled with granularmaterial 245 when tube 215 is moved to a position to the side of hole210 (e.g., not covering hole 210). In this position, some of thegranular material 245 in hopper cavity 190 falls into cavity 240 bygravity. In embodiments, controller “C” maintains valve 702 in an openstate and valve 706 in a closed state, which applies a vacuum to bore250 (e.g., negative pressure indicated by downward arrow shown in bore250), which aids in moving granular material 245 from hopper cavity 190into cavity 240.

As shown in FIG. 11 , after cavity 240 is filled with granular material245, tube 215 is moved laterally within hopper cavity 190 such thatsacrificial wear element 600 is slid along plate 180 to a position overand aligned with cavity 240. In particular, the hollow interior of tube215 is substantially vertically aligned with hole 210 and cavity 240.Movement of tube 215 in the direction of arrow 275 pushes excessgranular material 245 away from the space immediately over cavity 240,which provides a trimming action similar to dragging a knife across thetop of a measuring cup that is overfilled with material. In this manner,implementations of the invention precisely measure a portion of granularmaterial 245 in cavity 240. In embodiments, valve 702 is held open andvalve 706 is held closed to continuously apply vacuum to bore 250 whiletube 215 moves from the position shown in FIG. 10 to the position shownin FIG. 11 .

As shown in FIG. 12 , while tube 215 is in the aligned position overcavity 240, controller “C” maintains valve 702 open and additionallyopens valve 706. This applies pressurized gas (e.g., compressed air) tobore 250 (e.g., as indicated by upward arrow shown in bore 250), whichpushes the measured portion of granular material 245 out of cavity 240,through tube 215 and conduit 225 (as shown in FIG. 8 ), and into pouchmaking machine 60 (as shown in FIG. 8 ). In embodiments, controller “C”opens valve 706 for a predetermined amount of time that is sufficient tomove the measured portion of granular material 245 from cavity 240 tothe pouch making machine. After the predetermined amount of time,controller “C” closes valve 706, and tube 215 moves back to the positionshown in FIG. 10 to repeat the cycle.

As described herein, system 10 may be operated such that valve 702 ismaintained open to continuously apply vacuum to bore 250 throughout theentire cycle depicted in FIGS. 10-12 , and further such that valve 706is intermittently opened and closed to intermittently apply pressurizedgas to bore 250 to overcome the vacuum. The pressurized gas is suppliedat a pressure that is sufficient to overcome the vacuum at bore 250 toexpel the granular material from cavity 240 and into tube 215. In anexemplary implementation, the vacuum supplied by accumulator 505 (shownin FIG. 8 ) may be in the range of 5 to 10 inches of mercury and thepressurized gas supplied at port 525 may be in a range of 40 to 55 psi,although any suitable values nay be used. Maintaining valve 702 in theopen state to continuously apply vacuum to bore 250, whileintermittently applying pressurized gas to eject the granular material,permits faster cycle time for the system 10 compared to turning thevacuum on and off during each cycle. For example, the system 10described with respect to FIGS. 10-12 may be operated at 150 cycles perminute.

In additional embodiments, a fluid (e.g., water) may be injected intobore 250 while valve 706 is open as described in FIG. 12 . The fluid maybe injected into plumbing downstream of port 225, or alternatively maybe injected at a separate port of pin 235. For example, an atomizedwater source 273 may be provided to inject atomized water into bore 250.The timing of the fluid injection may be optimized based on parametersincluding, but not limited to: duration of applying pressurized gas tobore 250 (e.g., the predetermined amount of time described with respectto FIG. 12 ); pressure of pressurized gas; and volume of cavity 240. Ina preferred embodiment, the fluid injection occurs nearer the beginningof the duration of applying pressurized gas than the end.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-12 , the volume of cavity 240 maybe adjusted by moving pin 235 up or down within hole 210. For example,moving pin 235 upward in hole 210 makes cavity 240 smaller, and movingpin downward in hole 210 makes cavity 240 larger. The pin 235 may bemoved up or down in hole 210 using any suitable actuator, such as amanual and/or automated screw actuator or the like.

In accordance with aspects described herein, the volume of cavity 240 isadjusted based on a determined weight of a number of pouches that areproduced by the pouch making machine 60. For example, a number ofpouches may be made by pouch making machine 60, with each pouchincluding a portion of granular material that is measured using cavity240. The number of pouches may be weighed, the weight of the number ofpouches may be compared to an upper threshold and a lower threshold, andthe volume of cavity 240 may be adjusted based on comparing thedetermined weight to the upper and lower thresholds. For example, whenthe determined weight is less than the lower threshold, then pin 235 ismoved downward in hole 245, thereby making cavity 240 larger andincreasing the mass of granular material per pouch. When the determinedweight is more than the upper threshold, then pin 235 is moved upward inhole 245, thereby making cavity 240 smaller and decreasing the mass ofgranular material per pouch. When the determined weight is between thelower threshold and upper threshold, the pin 235 is kept at its currentposition in hole 210, as this indicates the pouches are meeting a targetweight. In this manner, implementations of the invention provide afeedback loop for adjusting the volume of cavity 240, which adjusts themass of granular material in each pouch that is produced using cavity240.

As described herein, system 10 may include plural lanes simultaneouslymaking pouches filled with granular material. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 8 , there may be ten lanes L1-L10, although the invention isnot limited to this number and any desired number of lanes may be used.Each lane may include: at least one hole 210 with an associated cavity240 and pin 235; a tube 215; and a conduit 225. When plural lanes areused, the volume of each respective cavity 240 may be individuallyadjusted based on determined weight of the pouches produced in thatparticular lane as already described herein. For example, with referenceto FIG. 1 , a conveyor system 70 may be structured and arranged tosimultaneously move plural empty containers 80 into alignment with theplural lanes at the output of pouch making machine 60, such that therespective containers 80 are simultaneously filled with pouches fromrespective ones of the lanes. The position of each container 80 may betracked throughout the entire system, and each container 80 may beassociated with the particular one of the lanes from which it wasfilled. Each container 80 may be weighed after being filled, and thevolume of cavity 240 in the lane associated with the weighed container80 may be adjusted based on the weight of the container 80 independentof the cavities 240 of the other lanes.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an exemplary operation of measuring system 50′ inwhich each lane includes one tube 215, two holes 210 a and 210 b, twopins 235 a and 235 b, and two cavities 240 a and 240 b. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14 , tube 215 moves back and forth to positions alignedover the respective holes 210 a and 210 b. When tube 215 is aligned overhole 210 a, as shown in FIG. 13 , the measured portion of granularmaterial in cavity 240 a is expelled from cavity 240 a through tube 215by applying pressurized gas (e.g., compressed air) to bore 250 a of pin235 a, e.g., in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIG.12 . Also when tube 215 is aligned over hole 210 a, as shown in FIG. 13, hole 210 b is uncovered and cavity 240 b fills with granular materialfrom hopper cavity 190, e.g., in a manner similar to that described withrespect to FIG. 10 .

FIG. 14 depicts tube 215 moved to a position over and aligned with hole210 b, e.g., after the operation shown in FIG. 13 . As shown in FIG. 14, when tube is over hole 210 b, the measured portion of granularmaterial in cavity 240 b is expelled from cavity 240 b through tube 215by applying pressurized gas (e.g., compressed air) to bore 250 b of pin235 b, and cavity 240 a fills with granular material from hopper cavity190. After the operation shown in FIG. 14 , tube 215 moves back to theposition shown in FIG. 13 and the cycle repeats.

In embodiments, continuously applied vacuum may be used to assistfilling cavities 240 a and 240 b in a manner similar to that describedwith respect to FIG. 10 . Moreover, each respective pin 235 a-b may beindividually connected to a respective vacuum port 515 a-b of manifold500. In this manner, vacuum is consistently applied at substantial thesame level at each bore 250 a-b. For example, in the position shown inFIG. 13 , valves 702 a and 702 b are maintained continuously open, valve706 b is closed, and valve 706 a is opened for a predetermined amount oftime. The vacuum remains continuously applied to both bores 235 a and235 b while tube 215 moves from the position shown in FIG. 13 to theposition shown in FIG. 14 . When tube 215 is aligned over hole 210 b,valves 702 a and 702 b are maintained continuously open, valve 706 a isclosed, and valve 706 b is opened for a predetermined amount of time.

FIG. 15 shows portions of an exemplary measuring system 50 includingtwenty pins 235 a-t, which may be used in a ten lane system such as thatshown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 8 . In embodiments, each respective pin 235 a-tis connected to manifold 500 in the manner shown in FIGS. 10-14 .Structure 310 may house all the valves associated with all therespective pins 235 a-t. Structure 310 may additionally or alternativelyhouse manual and/or automated mechanisms for adjusting the height ofpins 235 a-t to adjust cavity volumes as described herein, eitherindividually or as a group.

The system as described herein may thus include ten lanes, with eachlane including one tube 215, one conduit 225, two holes 210 a and 210 b,two cavities 240 a and 240 b, and two pins 235 a and 235 b. All tentubes and conduits may be moved as a group in a reciprocating fashion,e.g., as shown in FIG. 8 , between a first position over a first tenholes and a second position over a second ten holes. When the ten tubesare in the first position over the first ten holes, a first ten measuredportions of granular material are moved from a first ten cavities to thepouch making machine, while a second ten cavities are simultaneouslyfilled with granular material from the hopper cavity. When the ten tubesare in the second position over the second ten holes, a second tenmeasured portions of granular material are moved from a second tencavities to the pouch making machine, while the first ten cavities aresimultaneously filled with granular material from the hopper cavity.

In embodiments, a level sensor may be used to maintain a proper level ofgranular material in hopper cavity 190. For example, a laser sensor,electronic eye, or the like, may be used to detect when the amount ofgranular material in hopper cavity 190 falls below a predefinedthreshold. Any desired number and/or type(s) of level sensors may beused. A controller may be connected to the level sensor. The controllerconnected to the level sensor may be the same as controller “C” shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , or may be a different controller. When the level sensordetects the amount of granular material in hopper cavity 190 falls belowa predefined threshold, the controller may activate the sifter 30 for apredefined amount of sifting time (e.g., 2 seconds) to move granularmaterial from the sifter 30 to the hopper 40. Activating the sifter 30may include, for example, the controller sending a signal to electricmotor 155 to cause rotation of shaft 150 that moves wipers 145 for thepredefined amount of sifting time.

After the predefined amount of sifting time, in the event the levelsensor indicates the level of granular material in hopper 40 is abovethe predefined threshold, then the controller turns off sifter 30. Onthe other hand, in the event the level sensor indicates the level ofgranular material in hopper 40 is still below the predefined thresholdafter the predefined amount of sifting time, then the controller causesthe system to agitate feeder 20 for a predefined amount of feeder timeto move granular material from feeder 20 to sifter 30. Agitating feeder20 may include, for example, the controller sending a signal toactuators 139 a-c that cause vibration of pans 110 a-c of feeder 20 forthe predefined amount of feeder time, which causes granular material tomove from feeder 20 into sifter 30. In aspects, the controller alsoactivates sifter 30 while agitating feeder 20.

After the predefined amount of feeder time, in the event the levelsensor indicates the level of granular material in hopper 40 is abovethe predefined threshold, then the controller turns off feeder 20 andsifter 30. On the other hand, in the event the level sensor indicatesthe level of granular material in hopper 40 is still below thepredefined threshold after the predefined amount of sifting time, thenthe controller causes the system to agitate feeder 20 and activatesifter 30 again for the predefined amount of feeder time. In thismanner, the system may keep feeder 20 and sifter 30 turned on until thelevel of granular material in hopper 40 reaches the desired level.

As described herein, various aspects of system 10 may be controlledusing a controller, such as a programmable computer device or the like.For example, controller “C” may be operatively connected to elements ofsystem 10 and adapted to control at least one of the followingfunctions: detecting level of granular material in chambers of sifter30; detecting level of granular material in hopper 40; agitating lanesof feeder 20; moving wipers 145 in sifter 30; moving slide 200;controlling valves 702 and 706; moving conveyor 70; tracking positionsof containers 80 on conveyor 70 and/or throughout the system; weighingpouches in containers and comparing the weight to thresholds; andadjusting height of pins 235 in holes 210 based on the comparing. Forexample, controller “C” may be configured to coordinate the timing ofthe movement of slide 200 with the control of valves 702 and 706, suchthat vacuum is continuously applied and pressure is intermittentlyapplied to bore 250 based on the position of tube 215 over cavity 240(e.g., as described with respect to FIGS. 10-14 ). The invention is notlimited to a single controller performing these functions, and anydesired number and/or type of controllers may be used. The controller(s)may be operatively connected to sensors and/or actuators, e.g., asdescribed herein, in order to perform one or more of these functions.

FIG. 16 shows a flow diagram of a method in accordance herewith. Methodsin accordance herewith may be performed using the systems described withrespect to FIGS. 1-15 and in a manner similar to that described withrespect to those figures. The steps of FIG. 16 are described in part byreferring to reference numbers associated with elements shown in theprevious drawings. At step 410 the system provides bulk granularmaterial (e.g., tobacco), e.g., to sifter 30. This may comprise, forexample, providing bulk granular material to feeder 20 and/or agitatingfeeder 20 to cause the bulk granular material to fall out of feeder 20into sifter 30.

At step 420, the system sifts the bulk granular material. Inembodiments, this includes sifting the bulk granular material throughscreens 140 in sifter 145. This may optionally include moving wipers 145to assist in sifting the bulk granular material through screens 140.

At step 430, the system measures a portion of the sifted granularmaterial. In embodiments, the measuring includes moving a portion of thegranular material from the hopper cavity 190 to a measuring cavity 240,e.g., as described with respect to FIGS. 10-14 . Step 430 may includeuncovering a cavity 240 and moving granular material 245 into the cavity240 by gravity and continuously applied vacuum (e.g., as in FIG. 10 ),and trimming excess granular material 245 away from over the cavity(e.g., as in FIG. 11 ).

At step 440, the system moves the measured portion of granular materialto a pouch making machine. This may include ejecting the measuredportion of granular material from the measuring cavity 240 usingcompressed air, which causes the measured portion of granular materialto travel through tube 215 and conduit 225 to pouch making machine 60.

At step 450, the system makes a pouch encapsulating the measured portionof granular material. This may include, for example, pouch makingmachine 60 forming a pouch using conventional pouch making processes. Atstep 460, the system places the pouch in a container, e.g., container80.

After step 440, one branch of the process loops back to step 430. Inthis manner, the system continues to measure new portions of thegranular material concurrently while the pouch making machine isprocessing previous measured portions of granular material.

At optional step 470, the system detects the weight of one or morepouches, compares the weight to upper and lower thresholds, and adjuststhe measuring system based on the comparing, if necessary. Step 470 mayinclude one of: moving pin 235 downward in hole 245, thereby makingcavity 240 larger and increasing the mass of granular material perpouch, when the determined weight is less than the lower threshold;moving pin 235 upward in hole 245, thereby making cavity 240 smaller anddecreasing the mass of granular material per pouch, when the determinedweight is more than the upper threshold; and not moving pin 235 when thedetermined weight is between the lower threshold and upper threshold.After step 470, the process returns to step 430 to continue measuringportions of the granular material.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of systems and methods according tothe present disclosure are presented in the following enumeratedparagraphs. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that anindividual step of a method recited herein, including in the followingenumerated paragraphs, may additionally or alternatively be referred toas a “step for” performing the recited action.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The systems and methods disclosed herein are applicable to the packagingindustry, in particular, to that portion directed to pouching, and tothe tobacco industry, in particular that portion directed to smokelesstobacco products.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion only and are presented in the cause of providingwhat is believed to be the most useful and readily understooddescription of the principles and conceptual aspects. In this regard, noattempt is made to show structural details in more detail than isnecessary for fundamental understanding, the description taken with thedrawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the severalforms disclosed herein may be embodied in practice.

It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely forthe purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed aslimiting. While aspects have been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have beenused herein are words of description and illustration, rather than wordsof limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the present disclosure in its aspects. Althoughaspects have been described herein with reference to particular means,materials, and/or embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended tobe limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, it extends toall functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as arewithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for metering a granular material forpackaging in pouches, the system comprising: a hopper including a hoppercavity configured to hold a granular material; a measuring systemincluding, a measuring cavity, and a tube that is slidable in the hoppercavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity anda second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity; and avacuum source configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to themeasuring cavity, the measuring system configured to move a portion ofthe granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavitywhen the tube is in the first position, and the measuring systemconfigured to move the portion of the granular material from themeasuring cavity, through the tube, to a pouch making machine usingpressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the secondposition.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein an internal diameter of thetube is larger than an internal diameter of the measuring cavity.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the tube has a continuously tapered internaldiameter.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the measuring system furtherincludes, a tube carrier, the tube carrier holding the tube against awall of the hopper cavity, and a spring between an internal portion ofthe tube carrier and an external portion of the tube, the springconfigured to urge the tube against the wall of the hopper cavity. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein an end of the tube is connected to a wearelement, the wear element contacting a plate that defines the measuringcavity.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the plate includes asacrificial wear element, and the sacrificial wear element defines themeasuring cavity.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a firstvalve configured to continuously communicate the vacuum to the measuringcavity when the first valve is in an open position.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, further comprising: a second valve configured to communicatethe pressurized gas to the measuring cavity when the second valve is inthe open position.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second valve isconfigured to communicate the pressurized gas to the measuring cavityindependent of the position of the first valve.
 10. The system of claim9, wherein the measuring cavity includes a plurality of measuringcavities, the first valve includes a respective plurality of firstvalves, and the second valve includes a respective plurality of secondvalves.
 11. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a manifoldconnected to the measuring system, the manifold configured tocommunicate the vacuum to the first valve and the pressurized gas to themeasuring cavity.
 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: anaccumulator connected between the manifold and the vacuum.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the measuring system includes a plurality ofmeasuring cavities, the first valve includes a plurality of firstvalves, the plurality of first valves between the vacuum and theplurality of measuring cavities, respectively, the second valve includesa plurality of second valves, the plurality of second valves between thepressurized gas and the plurality of measuring cavities, respectively,the manifold includes a plurality of manifold ports fluidly connected tothe plurality of measuring cavities, and the accumulator includes aplurality of accumulator ports fluidly connected to the plurality ofmanifold ports.
 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a conduitconnected to the tube, the tube and the conduit defining a flow pathbetween the measuring cavity and the pouch making machine when the tubeis in the second position.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein themeasuring system includes a pin having a bore in fluid communicationwith the measuring cavity, a location of the pin within a hole defines avolume of the measuring cavity, and the location of the pin within thehole is selectively adjustable to adjust the volume of the measuringcavity.
 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising: a controllerconfigured to receive a weight of at least one pouch made by the pouchmaking machine with the granular material from the measuring cavity, andchange the location of the pin within the hole based on the weight basedon the weight, an upper threshold and a lower threshold.
 17. The systemof claim 1, wherein the tube is supported by a slide that causes thetube to move in a reciprocating manner between the first position andthe second position; and the hopper comprises movable end blocksconnected to the slide.
 18. The system of claim 1, further comprising: asifter configured to sift the granular material, the sifter including acompartment having a screen and a moveable wiper, the granular materialmoving through the screen to the hopper; a feeder configured to providethe granular material to the sifter; a level sensor in the hopper; and acontroller configured to cause the moveable wiper to move in the sifter,the feeder to agitate, or the moveable wiper to move in the sifter andthe feeder to agitate based on a signal from the level sensor.
 19. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising: a feeder configured to providethe granular material to a sifter, the feeder including a number oflanes and the sifter including a number of compartments corresponding tothe number of lanes; a respective level sensor in each of thecompartments of the sifter; and a controller configured to individuallycontrol agitation of the respective lanes of the feeder based on signalsfrom the respective level sensors.
 20. The system of claim 1, whereinthe granular material includes tobacco.